KJL thinks this will be of interest to you:
Butterflies in the Mind: Taking the Long View
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/butterflies-in-the-mind-taking-the-long-view.html
Enjoy.
2 years ago
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Necessity Was the Mother of this Phone Box Library
Here is a creative way to use an "outdated" space...
British Telephone has received 770 applications for communities to 'adopt a kiosk', and so far 350 boxes have been handed over to parish councils. Westbury-sub-Mendip Parish Council bought the phone box from BT in a national scheme for a token £1. More from the BBC...
...and yet another article from BBC Local.
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Necessity Was the Mother of this Phone Box Library
A resident dreamed up the idea when the tiny village lost its phone box and mobile library in quick succession. But fortunately, a traditional red phone box has been recycled into the Westbury-sub-Mendip (population of approximately 800 in Somerset) Library, stocking a total of 100 books.British Telephone has received 770 applications for communities to 'adopt a kiosk', and so far 350 boxes have been handed over to parish councils. Westbury-sub-Mendip Parish Council bought the phone box from BT in a national scheme for a token £1. More from the BBC...
...and yet another article from BBC Local.
Friday, November 27, 2009
School libraries key in teaching information skills
Sent to you by MediaMom333 via Google Reader:
via Technology4Teachers by on 11/20/09
When school media specialists and educators make an effort to become familiar with the social-networking web sites and technologies that today's students use each day, they can forge important learning connections with their students: That was one of the key messages to come out of the American Association of School Librarians' annual conference, held Nov. 5-8 in Charlotte, N.C.
Key words: educational technology, AASL, library media specialist, school library, school media center, 21st century learning
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Technology4Teachers using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Milton Glaser on drawing and thinking
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via Boing Boing by Mark Frauenfelder on 11/23/09
In this short video by C. Coy, designer Milton Glaser draws a picture of Shakespeare while talking about the ways that drawing helps him think and perceive: "for me, drawing has always been a primary way of encountering reality."
His ideas reminding me of cartoonist Seth's short essay for The Walrus called "The Quiet Art of Cartooning." Both Seth and Glaser are in agreement that your mind opens up on interesting ways while you draw. Teachers who prevent students from drawing and doodling while being taught a lesson are hindering their learning.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boing Boing using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
What do teen's want?
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via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 11/20/09
There has been so much debate about what exactly is it that teen's want and how does this affect library programs and services?
Two recent postings are helpful:
What DO Teens Want? (from The Sassy Librarian)
What Do Teens Want? By Carol Fitzgerald -- Publishers Weekly, 10/26/2009
The charts alone are wirth the link.
Stephen
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- Subscribe to Stephen's Lighthouse using Google Reader
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Does Technology Make You Anti-Social?
Sent to you by MediaMom333 via Google Reader:
via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 11/20/09
Tech Geek Myth Busted: Top Ten Ways Technology Boosts Your Social Life
Quoting a Pew study, and yes, maybe I am a little defensive. "In 2006, a popular study by experts at Duke University and the University of Arizona concluded new technologies have been making loners of us since 1985. Earlier this month, this theory was challenged and perhaps debunked. New technologies actually increase our social interactions, not our isolation, the Pew Internet and American Life Project found."
10. There's been no significant jump in the number of truly isolated Americans.
9. Web users are more likely to seek counsel outside their own family.
8. Many 18-22-year-olds use social networking to keep in contact with nearly all of their key contacts.
7. Internet users like clubs.
6. Technology users have more "core" friends in their discussion networks.
5. Web users leave their rooms.
4. Cell phone and web users make better neighbors.
3. Technology users seek conversation outside their marriage.
2. Sharing those family vacation photos online might make you more politically open minded.
1. Bloggers have more racially diverse friends.
Anyway, it makes sense that when it is easier to stay in touch . . . you do.
Stephen
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Stephen's Lighthouse using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Search engines are teachers
Sent to you by MediaMom333 via Google Reader:
via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow on 11/26/09
Penn State researchers have conducted a study into the use of search engines and conclude that we don't just search to find out facts, but rather, to learn: The researchers sought to discover the cognitive processes underlying searching. They examined the search habits of 72 participants while conducting a total of 426 searching tasks. They found that search engines are primarily used for fact checking users' own internal knowledge, meaning that they are part of the learning process rather than simply a source for information. They also found that people's learning styles can affect how they use search engines.Search Engines Are Source of Learning"Our results suggest the view of Web searchers having simple information needs may be incorrect," said Jim Jansen, associate professor of information sciences and technology. "Instead, we discovered that users applied simple searching expressions to support their higher-level information needs."
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boing Boing using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
New Teen-Produced Reality Series Shows How Teens Use Digital Media to Shape Their Lives
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New Teen-Produced Reality Series Shows How Teens Use Digital Media to Shape Their Lives
Cool: this post announces "the launch of StudentSpeak, a new teen-produced reality series on how teens use digital media in their day-to-day lives. Every other week, students will take viewers inside their world, and show how technology is transforming how they think, learn and socialize. Watch the sneak preview produced by Ben Wolff. Sarah Jackson, Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning, November 25, 2009 [Tags: none] [Link] [Comment]Sunday, October 18, 2009
Uruguay becomes first nation to provide a laptop for every primary school student
Uruguay becomes first nation to provide a laptop for every primary school student: "
Uruguay's been a huge fan of the One Laptop Per Child initiative for quite some time, and while we're still unsure if it's the entity's biggest customer, the aforesaid nation is certainly doing some serious business with Nicholas Negroponte and Company. After the first swath of youngsters received their green and white XOs back in May of 2007, the final smattering of kids have now joined the proud group of laptop-toting tots in the country's circuit of primary schools. You heard right -- every last pupil in Uruguay's primary school system now has a laptop and a growing love for Linux, and we're told that the whole thing cost the country less than five percent of its entire education budget. So, who's next?
[Via Digg, image courtesy of oso]
Uruguay's been a huge fan of the One Laptop Per Child initiative for quite some time, and while we're still unsure if it's the entity's biggest customer, the aforesaid nation is certainly doing some serious business with Nicholas Negroponte and Company. After the first swath of youngsters received their green and white XOs back in May of 2007, the final smattering of kids have now joined the proud group of laptop-toting tots in the country's circuit of primary schools. You heard right -- every last pupil in Uruguay's primary school system now has a laptop and a growing love for Linux, and we're told that the whole thing cost the country less than five percent of its entire education budget. So, who's next?
[Via Digg, image courtesy of oso]
Filed under: Laptops
Uruguay becomes first nation to provide a laptop for every primary school student originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments"Saturday, October 17, 2009
Finding The Best
Today, I watched a slideshow Webinar for the MILI Project that Ms. Lindberg and Ms. Corbin and I are taking through Metronet. Here are the notes I posted on my "other" blog on the MILI website. Only MILI participants can get in, so I copied them here:
My notes on the webinar:
I have been using both Google and Delicious for some time now. They haven't been my mainstays for everything, but it is possible that they will become more ingrained in my repertoire of tools in the future. For instance, I began my blog, Infogal, last year when a teacher wanted to try using one for a project he was doing with kids. So, I went in and tried a Google Blog (Blogspot) since I already had a Google Account.
I find that the most growing I do has much to do with what my teachers and students need.
A couple of years ago, our school wanted to get a handle on the research process, so I started teaching the 9th graders how to access the online resources that our district provides.
This led to me teaching the research process and every year as the students progress, we get more in depth with the research and tools we use to get it done. My pitch to the students is that I will make their work easier by showing them tools that will help them manage their time (Research Project Calculator), give them sites that will help them find good resources (ELM databases, etc.) and tools that will make the tedious parts manageable (EasyBib). They really begin to appreciate me when they hear that all of the research does not have to be drudgery!
One of the biggest ideas that I deliver is that if you "grow" your keyword list, you can begin to narrow or widen your topic as needed. So, when I saw the slide with the sheet on keyword sentences I thought it was a great way to get them to do this ahead of time. One of the issues we have is that students, when they come to the media center, expect that they will be working away at the computer right away. They don't expect me to give them a 10 minute overview of the research process (again!) and how important the first few days can be in getting to know their subject in both general and specific ways. Google is something that we discuss and use when we want to find out more about the subject we picked before we do more focused and scholarly research.
I explain to the students the difference between Google and databases. The slides here mirror much of what I say.
*****************
Delicious--- I have had an account for several years now and it's quite personal and professional mixed up. One of my plans for the research and IB program at our school is to start an account for resources that we find that would be helpful for things like AP Research or IB Extended Essays. I haven't quite figured out all of the details or how that would be better than just searching a database (that is constantly updated), but will probably just try it and see how it goes.
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
My notes on the webinar:
I have been using both Google and Delicious for some time now. They haven't been my mainstays for everything, but it is possible that they will become more ingrained in my repertoire of tools in the future. For instance, I began my blog, Infogal, last year when a teacher wanted to try using one for a project he was doing with kids. So, I went in and tried a Google Blog (Blogspot) since I already had a Google Account.
I find that the most growing I do has much to do with what my teachers and students need.
A couple of years ago, our school wanted to get a handle on the research process, so I started teaching the 9th graders how to access the online resources that our district provides.
This led to me teaching the research process and every year as the students progress, we get more in depth with the research and tools we use to get it done. My pitch to the students is that I will make their work easier by showing them tools that will help them manage their time (Research Project Calculator), give them sites that will help them find good resources (ELM databases, etc.) and tools that will make the tedious parts manageable (EasyBib). They really begin to appreciate me when they hear that all of the research does not have to be drudgery!
One of the biggest ideas that I deliver is that if you "grow" your keyword list, you can begin to narrow or widen your topic as needed. So, when I saw the slide with the sheet on keyword sentences I thought it was a great way to get them to do this ahead of time. One of the issues we have is that students, when they come to the media center, expect that they will be working away at the computer right away. They don't expect me to give them a 10 minute overview of the research process (again!) and how important the first few days can be in getting to know their subject in both general and specific ways. Google is something that we discuss and use when we want to find out more about the subject we picked before we do more focused and scholarly research.
I explain to the students the difference between Google and databases. The slides here mirror much of what I say.
*****************
Delicious--- I have had an account for several years now and it's quite personal and professional mixed up. One of my plans for the research and IB program at our school is to start an account for resources that we find that would be helpful for things like AP Research or IB Extended Essays. I haven't quite figured out all of the details or how that would be better than just searching a database (that is constantly updated), but will probably just try it and see how it goes.
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Day Off?
Well, this was supposed to be a day off for me, but I chose to come in and work on my website. It got tripped up somewhere in the cybersphere and keeps going around and around, but never presents itself on the page where it ought to be. I contacted our good friends down at the district office, and the webmaster there and I have been trying to figure out what is wrong.
As it is, we ended up dumping the entire old site, creating a new Media Center page on North's homepage and then deleting the other links and content to see if that would clear things up. So, I printed everything off so I would have it for the rebuild. BUT, I used my media smarts, too! I ALSO copied (control A to select all from those little editing boxes when you can't see it all) and pasted the information into a Word document... which means I can copy/paste later when I am ready to edit. I do still have all the pictures (thank goodness) that I will need, so I am not saving all of them.
Now, I am to the point where I have the links on the Classroom Pages and on the Academic Programs working... but for some reason I can't get the most obvious page to show-- that is the one on the homepage named Media Center! The webmaster left for the day. Maybe I should, too!
UPDATE: So, I thought I'd try to link to the website from this blog thinking that I would have to change the link because it wouldn't work anymore SINCE I DELETED THE OLD PAGE. Guess what? It worked-- went right to the page. AND, the basic page presents itself now. Go figure. So, something worked... I guess the kernel of goodness here would be use copy/paste features to your advantage. And, things may just take some Time.
As it is, we ended up dumping the entire old site, creating a new Media Center page on North's homepage and then deleting the other links and content to see if that would clear things up. So, I printed everything off so I would have it for the rebuild. BUT, I used my media smarts, too! I ALSO copied (control A to select all from those little editing boxes when you can't see it all) and pasted the information into a Word document... which means I can copy/paste later when I am ready to edit. I do still have all the pictures (thank goodness) that I will need, so I am not saving all of them.
Now, I am to the point where I have the links on the Classroom Pages and on the Academic Programs working... but for some reason I can't get the most obvious page to show-- that is the one on the homepage named Media Center! The webmaster left for the day. Maybe I should, too!
UPDATE: So, I thought I'd try to link to the website from this blog thinking that I would have to change the link because it wouldn't work anymore SINCE I DELETED THE OLD PAGE. Guess what? It worked-- went right to the page. AND, the basic page presents itself now. Go figure. So, something worked... I guess the kernel of goodness here would be use copy/paste features to your advantage. And, things may just take some Time.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
North High's Media Website
It took me some time, but I finally got around to updating the Media Center Website after the district moved the pages to a new configuration. Most of my links were lost (about 3 month's worth of work), but I think most would agree that what is left and built back up is clear, concise and consistent with our mission as a teaching and learning resource.
I may go back and build in some more links for resources, but as it stands, this site will get you to all the academic databases that are offered by our district, county and state.
I will be adding a place for suggestions, suggested links and suggested books in the future. Oh, and a link to my blog!!
I may go back and build in some more links for resources, but as it stands, this site will get you to all the academic databases that are offered by our district, county and state.
I will be adding a place for suggestions, suggested links and suggested books in the future. Oh, and a link to my blog!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Research and the IB Program
Today I went to St. Paul to attend the MAIB Roundtable Workshop on the Extended Essay for the International Baccalaureate Program that is being implemented at our school. We learned some tips that will help our students do well with this part of their International Baccalaureate program.
One of the things that struck me in the presentation was the emphasis on research. It mirrored much of the work that I have been doing with Mr. Heegard's classes. They have been visiting the lab and I have been sharing some resources with them that will make their work more manageable and less time-consuming.
Here are a couple of resources I have shown our students:
The Research Project Calcluator-- This link will bring you to the beginning page that the student see when they go in to start a project.
Research Project Calculator Support Materials -- are here for you and your students. When a project is started, the students have the option to see the Teacher Information. You should start the project with them and then the Calculator will send you emails reminding you of where your students are at with handy links to the materials and resources on the page.
It includes help sheets for every step of the research process and gives it to you in both a PDF and a Word Document. You are free to use them in your teaching. You could even save a copy and then email it to your students and have them use it electronically.
Easybib.com --
This will help you build your citations—either by putting the information into boxes or by copying and pasting the information into a textbox. You can create separate lists and you can keep your citations online and get back to them easily. You can export your list to Word and copy/paste your Work Cited list into a document.
This will help you build your citations—either by putting the information into boxes or by copying and pasting the information into a textbox. You can create separate lists and you can keep your citations online and get back to them easily. You can export your list to Word and copy/paste your Work Cited list into a document.
We also went into using the ELM databases. They are high-powered databases that help students (and you!) find appropriate resources for research. Be careful, you may get hooked on the information!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
MILI: Metronet Information Literacy Initiative
I've joined the MILI Team at my school. This means that I will be exploring and using Web 2.0 tools with my colleagues. One of the activities is to blog about our progress. I wonder if I can use this blog as that tool-- or must it all be posted to my MILI page blog? This would give me a reason to keep moving with this blog and not have me duplicating my work. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Metronet Information Literacy Conference
I attended today and my time there has been supplemented with even more time exploring and thinking about how to make our media center even more learning and thinking based.
K
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
North Student Historians
Mr. P's class class was given the task of creating a presentation for their research about the history of the North side of Minneapolis. They had already created their questions, found people to talk with and collected the information through interviews. They took pictures and now they are ready to put that information online. I helped them to create powerpoint presentations that showed the different styles for certain cultural aspects such as clothing, cars, etc.
I also had the pleasure to help this group find historical pictures of our North building and community. They are led by an incredibly dedicated teacher, Mr. Chris Pennington.
I also had the pleasure to help this group find historical pictures of our North building and community. They are led by an incredibly dedicated teacher, Mr. Chris Pennington.
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